Shadow's Messenger: An Aileen Travers Novel

by T. A. White

  Unless I’m the reason that wasn’t offered. Maybe they didn’t want me seeing what was on the tapes. That couldn’t be it as she’d pulled it up where I could easily see it. Also, I doubted they’d take such precautions when none of them saw me as much of a threat. Hence the lack of rope or cage. Even the werewolves had been more cautious than this.

  “Do you mind?” Kat asked in a snotty tone.

  “No.”

  She made an angry exclamation and with one click of her nail turned the monitor off.

  I was beginning to think there was something she wanted to hide. It made sense. I wondered if Liam had received all of the security feeds.

  It was like a modern day Borgia soap opera, full of clandestine meetings, hidden agendas and sneaky plots. Jenna and my mom would be rapt with fascination. Me, on the other hand, I’m much simpler. Give me a clear cut bad guy and good guy any day of the week. Figuring out everybody’s convoluted motives are a pain in the ass.

  Kat watched me with a calculating look. She wanted something.

  “It would be in your best interest to start making friends,” she said. “I’d hope you might fit with our Clan. I’ve always wanted a little sister. I could make a powerful ally.”

  “Ah hah,” was the only response I could give without completely offending her. I don’t know where she got the idea that I planned on joining her clan.

  “You would, of course, have to prove your worth,” she said.

  “And how would you suggest I do that?”

  I had to give it to her. She didn’t let any of the smug satisfaction she was feeling show on her face.

  “It’ll be easy. I just need you to check in with the Enforcer and Patriarch Aiden and then tell me what you see.”

  Yup. She was definitely hiding something. Worse, she expected me to spy for her. She must be desperate if she was trying to solicit an unknown vampire to do her dirty work.

  “And how would you expect me to do that? Aren’t you supposed to be keeping an eye on me?” I asked.

  She gave me a bright and completely fake smile. “I will be. The club has cameras in all the rooms. This isn’t anything really. Think of it more as that thing college fraternities do to new members. What’s the word? I can never remember.”

  She couldn’t really think I was dumb enough to buy this.

  “Hazing,” I said, playing along.

  “Right. It’s just a little test to prove your devotion and then we can be Clan.” She stepped close and picked up a lock of hair that had slipped loose from my messy pony tail. “I’ve always wanted a little sister. It’ll be so fun. You’ll see.”

  I had a sister and while she annoyed the shit out of me sometimes, I wouldn’t trade her for this phony woman and all the blood in the world.

  I saw no reason to tell her that though. This was my chance. She might be able to monitor me on the cameras, but every system had a blind spot. If I got close enough to an exit, I wouldn’t even need to exploit the system’s weaknesses. I’d just high tail it out the door and not stop running until I found a safe place to hole up for the night.

  Before I could answer, there was a screech of noise as an alarm sounded. Kat turned back to the computer and brought up the security feeds, not bothering to push me away when I glanced over her shoulder.

  From the number of different windows, there were dozens of cameras in the club. It would have been impossible for me to sneak around undetected.

  “What are they doing here?” Kat hissed.

  At first I couldn’t see what she was talking about and then in the top right box on the screen, a familiar face caught my attention. Brax. It was a little grainy and I’d only met him once, but his face wasn’t one I would forget.

  “Stay here,” Kat ordered.

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “No, of course not. There’s just a small situation I need to take care of. I’ll be right back.”

  I could hardly believe it when she hurried out of the room without a backward glance. She didn’t actually expect me to obey, did she? Like a dog told to sit. Unbelievable.

  Maybe there were guards outside waiting. Unlikely, but possible.

  The security feeds were still running on the computer so I enlarged the one containing the hallway leading to this room. Empty. Perfect. Getting out of here would be easy. I probably wouldn’t even need to run.

  I pulled out my keys and flipped open the small thumb drive I’d carried since I was a freshman in college. I rarely needed it anymore since I didn’t really use a computer that often, but I never got around to taking it off after graduating. My laziness was about to pay off. I plugged the USB into the computer and prayed they hadn’t disabled the port. A file folder popped up with the USB’s name on it. Guess these vampires weren’t that concerned about computer security.

  It took moments to bring up the files for the past week. I didn’t want to chance missing something important just because Kat had been looking at files from two days ago. I dragged them over to the USB folder and winced when I saw the estimated time to download. The files were big. This was going to take a couple of minutes.

  The seconds counted down as I monitored all the feeds, keeping an eye out in case someone headed in my direction. The moment they did I was gone. I wouldn’t jeopardize my freedom over some files that may or may not be helpful.

  It looked like everybody was heading to intercept Brax and a few of his werewolves. I thought I spotted Liam and Aiden on the cameras as well. Good. That should give me enough time.

  The files finished downloading. I grabbed the USB, took one last look to make sure my path was still clear, and then headed out.

  My footsteps were loud as I walked as fast as I could without running towards the rear exit. In the slight chance someone happened upon me on my way out, I didn’t want to immediately alert them that I was up to no good.

  No one appeared though, and I was on the street in a very short time, heading back to Cherry.

  Chapter Six

  The car retrieved, I drove around aimlessly. I couldn’t go home in case the vampires or werewolves somehow figured out where I lived. I didn’t want to go to Hermes’ office partly for that reason and partly because I didn’t want to face the interrogation I knew was in store. Going there also meant I’d have to give up Cherry, and I still needed her. I wasn’t ready to face the sorcerer again and it was too early in the evening to find a place to sleep through the day. That didn’t leave me a lot of options.

  Somehow I found myself driving down High Street, past the campus district, through all the college neighborhoods and on down to the Short North area. If I remembered correctly, Elements was near there.

  I needed to talk to a witch, and Miriam was the only one I knew. At least the only one I knew how to find and wasn’t terrified of. There was that witch on the east side, but I’d vowed never to go near her after her attempt to turn me into a frog had resulted in a week of green skin.

  I could use some witchy advice. I needed to know more about the mark on my arm. It also wouldn’t hurt to ask a few questions about hiding scents from a werewolf’s nose. At the very least, she might have a computer I could borrow.

  Parking down here was always a crap shoot. Tonight, being a Thursday, was no different. The college kids were out in force. It paid to have no classes on Friday. Those that did have class probably intended to skip. I know it’s something I’d done many times at that age.

  The only place I could find to park was several blocks away. After squeezing the car into a spot better suited for a Prius, I pocketed the keys and walked towards the store. It took me a lot longer than I predicted. I’d traveled much further afield in my search for a parking spot than intended, and it was not a relaxing walk with me being convinced Liam or Aiden would materialize at any moment.

  Elements had a closed sign in the window when I finally made it. The lights were on and two figures moved in the back. I reached for my phone to check the time. It, along with the bag I normally ca
rried, wasn’t there. That’s right, I’d left it at Lou’s when I’d made my great escape.

  With no cell, I had no way of telling the time. I stopped wearing watches years ago when it dawned on me that a cell phone told the time just as well and wouldn’t cost me anything extra on my college student budget. It only sucked in the rare times I had no cell phone to check, which almost never happened.

  The sign said the store closed at midnight. I did a quick mental calculation. It didn’t feel like it was past midnight. So why was the store closed? And how angry would Miriam be if I barged in anyway? In the end, none of my questions mattered. I was desperate, and desperate times called for desperate measures. Even if it did mean pissing off a witch of unknown power.

  I tested the door, not surprised to find it locked. Lucky for me, I had increased strength and the locks on this door weren’t the heavy duty kind. I briefly considered knocking but didn’t want to take the chance she would pretend to be out of the office. It’s what I would have done if someone came knocking at my store after I’d hung up the closed sign.

  Here’s hoping she would listen to my plea before zapping me into the next world.

  I gave the door a controlled jerk, smirking as the metal popped off and the door swung open. If this courier business didn’t work out, I could always pursue a career as a cat burglar.

  I ducked inside, careful not to make too much noise. Forcing the lock hadn’t been as loud as I’d expected and by the lack of a chime, it sounded like they had disabled the bell.

  On whisper quiet feet, I headed for the sound of voices in the back. I should probably announce myself so I didn’t startle Miriam and her shopkeeper, but it had been a rough night. I wanted a chance to observe without them knowing I was here before I announced my presence.

  A male voice tangled with the sound of a female’s. I paused. Maybe I shouldn’t interrupt. It was possible she had closed the store early to entertain a gentleman. It was a weird place to have a date, but what did I know of witches. Maybe ‘come see my potions’ was a form of foreplay.

  Walking in on her and a date would probably not be the best way to gain her cooperation. I could wait outside until the man left. I’d feel like a stalker, but it was better than barging my way in.

  “What are you doing here?” Miriam asked right next to my ear.

  I shrieked and jumped, giving too much force to my leap and sailing halfway across the room, knocking several items over on the way.

  Landing partially on my feet and partially on a plush chair, I looked up to find Miriam regarding me with a tilted head and a bemused expression. She held a large drink in one hand and a familiar looking pizza box in the other. It was from a joint that catered to the after midnight crowd. I sometimes stopped there if I was in the area during a courier run. Their pizza had the perfect balance of grease, fluffy dough, gooey cheese, and mouth-watering toppings.

  I straightened, smoothing my hands down my pants.

  “Miriam, hi.” Oh, that was even more brilliant. If I hadn’t impress her with my stellar leaping skills I could wow her with my conversational topics. “What are you doing here?”

  “It’s my store.”

  Right. Of course.

  “That’s not what I meant. You startled me. I thought you were in the back office.”

  “That’s odd, no one should be in here. Angela asked to leave early tonight. It should just be me minding the store. That’s why I closed it to run out and get dinner.” She waved the pizza box slightly.

  I glanced at the curtain of beads. Then who were the two people in the back room.

  “Are you the one who broke my door?”

  My gaze shot back to her. The softly worded question felt like a trap. Judging from the silvery sheen her eyes had taken, my next answer could decide whether I walked away from this encounter or crawled.

  “Um, yes.” I rushed on even as I felt the atmosphere take on a disturbing charge. I so didn’t want to get electrocuted again. “But only because I saw people in the store and thought it was odd that it was closed early. Given all that’s been happening lately with the disappearances and murders, I didn’t want to take the chance something else was going on.”

  Finished, I held my breath. It was a pretty convincing lie given I’d had seconds to come up with it.

  The buildup of power paused as she considered my answer. The power retreated. I gave an internal sigh of relief.

  “Miriam, what are you doing here?” Angela asked, stepping out of the back.

  Her gaze shot between the two of us. She look upset when she saw me but the expression was gone in the next second. I wondered if I’d imagined it.

  A man stepped out after her, his gaze cool and assessing as it slid between Miriam and me, noting the damage I’d left in my wake. He was handsome, with one of those faces that would appeal to most women and a body that was fit and lean. His blond hair had that sexy tousled thing going for it, like he’d just gotten out of bed and run his hands through it. He seemed familiar somehow, like I’d seen him somewhere, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember where.

  Miriam stiffened as soon as she caught sight of the man behind Angela.

  “What is he doing here?” she asked, her voice taking on a deep undertone. It was like it reverberated and echoed back a thousand times in the small space.

  Next to the sorcerer’s voice, it was pretty impressive.

  Whoever he was didn’t seemed phased by the suddenly scary witch in front of him.

  “I’ll see you later, babe,” he said, slipping past Angela and heading towards the exit. He gave the broken latch a considering look before slipping away.

  Miriam made no move to stop him, keeping her eyes trained on her shop keeper.

  “Miriam,” Angela began.

  “Don’t,” Miriam said, her voice dropping to normal. “You know I told you to stay away from him. I can’t believe you disobeyed me.”

  “He just stopped by to ask me to look at something.”

  “And did he just stop by at your house or the store,” Miriam asked. “Because you were off tonight, which means you brought him here or you met him here.”

  I sat on the chair and waited for the argument to burn itself out. It seemed like they’d forgotten me in the drama of the moment.

  I didn’t really understand what Miriam had against the guy. I could see why Angela had disobeyed, though. That man was fine on the eyes. He was probably a jerk though. He had that air about him. The one that said I’m sexy and know it, but you’ll do just about anything I ask even though you know you’ll probably end up broken hearted and hurting at the end of it.

  “I just. We just.” Seemed like Angela couldn’t think of a lie quick enough. “It doesn’t matter. What I do on my time is my business. You cannot forbid me to see someone just because you’re my mentor.”

  The old defense by attacking. Rooky mistake. It almost never worked but was guaranteed to escalate things. I knew from considerable experience gained through fighting with my mom.

  “That’s exactly what it means,” Miriam said, her voice cold and implacable. “When I took you as an apprentice, you agreed to obey me. This is not obeying. Continue on this path, and I will be forced to dissolve our relationship.”

  Ouch. That was a little harsh and would no doubt send Angela right into the man’s arms.

  From the stubborn tilt to Angela’s jaw, I guessed she’d be on her way to his door as soon as she was done here. This was like watching one of those teen dramas on TV. Who knew this kind of thing happened in real life too?

  As entertaining as it was to watch and dissect where each party was going wrong, I needed this to be wrapped up. My problems weren’t going away, and they were a little more serious than Angela getting her heart broken.

  “Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.” I stood and stepped forward before Angela could make the situation any worse. “I came here to talk to Miriam, and it really cannot wait. Do you mind if we chat a bit before you guys continue this?�
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  Angela glared at Miriam before nodding and stalking outside.

  “Miriam?” I asked.

  Miriam exhaled and it was like she was shaking loose of the anger that had saturated the air since the man stepped into the store.

  “Of course. I’m curious as to why you’re here as well.”

  I followed as she walked into the back office. I froze once I pushed past the beaded curtain. This was not the room I’d visited last time I was here. For starters, it had nothing in common with the stereotypical office break room you’d find in pretty much every retail store in America.

  There was still a table with chairs around it, but instead of the cheap vinyl folding table and plastic chairs, it had a table burnished a deep cherry brown in its place. It looked like an antique. A very old, very expensive, hand carved antique. Plants, enough to fill a green house, surrounded it, climbing on trellises and clinging to the ceiling. They should be turning brown and preparing for winter but instead they looked like they were caught in the peak of summer, with new buds joining the substantial amount already on them. They were a deep, verdant green almost surreal in the intensity of the colors.

  Miriam walked through them, the leaves swaying out of her way as if opening a path. She turned and looked at me quizzically as I gaped at the paradise around me.

  “How is this possible?” I whispered. “It wasn’t here before, was it?”

  I didn’t know what would disturb me more. That she’d grown this in the two days since I’d been here last or that it’d been here all along and I just hadn’t been able to see it because of a spell.

  She looked around in surprise. “Tell me what you are seeing.”

  “Plants. Lots of them. How are you growing these?” There was a window, but it wasn’t nearly big enough to give the plants the type of light they would need to grow to this extent.

  Understanding followed closely by suspicion dawned in her eyes.

  “Something about you has changed,” she said, no question in her voice. “This illusion should have been strong enough to fool a vampire a thousand years older than you. Tell me, have you been marked recently?”